Catch the Culprits: Pet Dander

If you’re allergic to cats or dogs, living in a pet-loving country
can be rough. It’s especially tough if you have a pet living at
home, spoiling your
indoor air quality. By learning more about cat and dog allergies, you can indentify exactly
what’s making you sneeze and reduce your exposure to pet allergens.

Causes of Pet Allergies

Contrary to popular belief, dog and cat hair isn’t usually what makes
you sneeze. Instead, pet dander and saliva are mostly to blame. Dander
consists of tiny flakes of skin, which can float on the air and cause
allergic reactions in particularly sensitive individuals without even
touching the animal.

So why is it that some people can bury their faces in the fur of a fluffy
husky while you’re left with itchy, watery eyes just from walking
into a room with a cat sleeping in the corner? It comes down to your overactive
immune system. Your body mistakes a harmless substance – in this
case pet dander – for a dangerous invader. Histamines are released
to attack the foreign intruder as if it were a bacteria or virus. Your
body’s attempt to flush the dander from your system is what causes
your allergies to flair up.

Symptoms of Pet Dander Allergies

Most of the symptoms you experience if you’re allergic to cats and
dogs are similar to other nasal allergies. These include:

Sneezing

Runny or stuffy nose

Itchy eyes and nose

Coughing and wheezing

Heightened asthma symptoms

You might also develop a rash where a cat or dog licks or scratches you.
More severe allergies may cause hives to develop on your face or chest.
Allergy symptoms may show up after just a few minutes of exposure to pet
dander or they may take hours to appear, not affecting you until the dog
or cat is long gone.

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Pet Dander

Dander is everywhere. Over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants
help many allergy sufferers, but prevention is the better option. Follow
these tips to reduce your exposure to pet dander:

Resist the urge to pet a cat or dog. If you come into physical contact
with an animal, wash that part of your skin with soap and water right away.

If you’re staying with someone who owns a cat or dog, ask that the
animal be kept out of the guestroom for a few weeks leading up to your visit.

If you can plan ahead, take your allergy medicines a few hours before coming
in contact with a cat or dog. This can greatly curb your allergy symptoms.

Since pet dander sticks to clothing, you should launder your clothes after
visiting a pet-owning friend’s house, even if the visit only lasts
for a few hours.

If you own a cat or dog and can’t bring yourself to find the animal
a new home, follow these tips:

Restrict the pet to certain areas of the home. Never allow the animal in
your bedroom.

Clean often. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and an electrostatic duster
to remove as much dander as possible.